Residents and business owners in the little town of Cheriton in Northampton County are celebrating "Merry Cheriton" this holiday season — with decorations, special events and even a custom-designed T-shirt to mark the celebration.

The town's businesses will host several events the weekend of Dec. 21-22 — including a tractor parade and a holiday market.

"Cheriton citizens and businesses are decking the halls, windows, and everything else with lights, garland, inflatables, and more. At the Cape Charles traffic light on Rt. 13, turn east on to Bayview Road and drive north into Cheriton. Decorations galore await!" a post on the Facebook event page says.

The event was a brainstorm of Jason Van Marter, chef at The Local, a community artisan co-op space and eatery; Dannielle Romeo of S'paw Day, and Cheriton resident Nancy Brauer.

"We just wanted to do something positive, have everybody come together and celebrate the holidays, which are all about good cheer and goodwill toward mankind," said Brauer.

It was she who came up with the idea of calling the initiative "Merry Cheriton."

"Jason was the one who said, 'What is one thing Cheriton really has going for it?'...He said, 'Bayside Road off (Route) 13, coming right through — it's perfect for people to just drive through and look at Christmas lights,'" Brauer said.

Merry Cheriton is a cooperative effort between the organizers and the town government, which paid for and helped erect a tree of lights downtown, among other help.

This design is on T-shirts for sale at several businesses in Cheriton, Virginia in December 2018.(Photo: Submitted image)

Like many towns, Cheriton businesses suffered after the main highway, Route 13, bypassed the town years ago.

"At one point, Cheriton was a pretty booming little town," said Van Marter.

"Slowly the businesses just started dying out and it really just kind of sat empty for years," he said.

Still, now the little town "is starting to come back to life," with several new businesses having opened downtown this year, Brauer said.

The holiday events are part of a larger effort to draw attention to what the town has to offer, according to Van Marter, who serves on the Cheriton's Visionary Committee.

"When we're sitting at the meeting and trying to understand what it that we can do, versus what we have grand visions of — at the end of the day, it's fairly easy for us to erect a pole and decorate it with lights and get something out there that's visual for people as they are coming through the town," he said, noting downtown also now has several storefront windows decorated for the season.

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Businesses in Cheriton, Virginia are participating in 'Merry Cheriton,' a season of holiday events including a holiday market at The Local on Friday, Dec. 21 and the grand opening of the Northampton Farm Store, including a tractor parade, on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018.(Photo: Staff photo by Carol Vaughn)

"So we've got more attention coming to our downtown area, which is good for our businesses," he said.

The town paid for a pole, constructed by Councilman Barry Downing, which was decorated with lights to create a Christmas tree effect. Mayor Larry LeMond and council members helped with the project, Van Marter said.

The weekend celebration includes a Holiday Market on Friday, Dec. 21, from 5-8 p.m. at The Local, at 21229 South Bayside Road — with gifts for sale by The Sheep Lady Designs, LJ Creations, Photography by Nicole Hart, Seafield Farms, Margaret's Gifts, Kendall Combs Designs, and more, along with free coffee, hot chocolate and snacks provided by The Local, as well as crafts for kids and a story time with Mrs. Claus. A photographer will be on hand to take photographs in front of the restaurant's Christmas tree.

Other nearby businesses plan to stay open that evening, "all to show that there is commerce here in the town — Cheriton is alive," Van Marter said.

Businesses in Cheriton, Virginia are participating in 'Merry Cheriton,' a season of holiday events including a holiday market at The Local on Friday, Dec. 21 and the grand opening of the Northampton Farm Store, including a tractor parade, on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. Staff photo by Carol Vaughn

Businesses in Cheriton, Virginia are participating in 'Merry Cheriton,' a season of holiday events including a holiday market at The Local on Friday, Dec. 21 and the grand opening of the Northampton Farm Store, including a tractor parade, on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. Staff photo by Carol Vaughn

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The Northampton Farm Store celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 22, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. — and at 1:15 p.m., a parade of vintage tractors and a fire truck carrying Santa will make its way down Bayside Road.

Additionally, a gift basket filled with items donated by town businesses is being given away — to enter the giveaway, share a post or event from the Cheriton: Town News and Events Facebook page and include the hashtag #cheritonrevival.

The winner will be randomly selected Jan. 1 and announced on the Facebook page.

S'paw Day also is giving away a gift certificate valued at up to $50 for grooming or boarding — shop at any neighboring businesses in Cheriton and show your receipts to S'paw Day to enter.

Brauer also designed a Merry Cheriton T-shirt for the holidays, which is for sale at several businesses in town.

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Merry Cheriton T-shirts are for sale at The Local in Cheriton, Virginia on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018.(Photo: Staff photo by Carol Vaughn)

Residents and business owners also are working on creating a nonprofit community association to boost the town, according to Brauer.

"It's exciting to me just watching things grow, and I'm enjoying doing my small part in bringing people together with similar interests," she said.

A year ago, Van Marter, speaking during an agritourism summit at Eastern Shore Community College, called Cheriton "one of the most forgotten towns on the Eastern Shore."

"Over the course of this year, we have kind of changed that — there is a lot more attention to Cheriton now, and it makes a difference. And it shows that citizens care," he said.